Leaders reaffirm commitment to economic collaboration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday jointly evaluated a cutting-edge sports equipment and technology exhibition in Auckland, underscoring innovation as a core driver of their newly elevated Strategic Partnership. The event, hosted by Luxon, brought together leaders from business, academia, technology, sports, and the arts to celebrate the historic upgrade in bilateral ties.
MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the two Prime Ministers took an extensive walkthrough of New Zealand's innovative sports equipment display, witnessing state-of-the-art technologies demonstrated by leading athletes and iconic sporting figures. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "PM @narendramodi, together with PM @chrisluxonmp, took a walkthrough of New Zealand's innovative sports equipment display. The leaders witnessed cutting-edge sports equipment and technologies, demonstrated by some of New Zealand's leading athletes and sporting icons."
FTA hailed as landmark milestone
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi emphasised the massive structural opportunities created by the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA), noting that the pact is specifically calibrated to benefit businesses, the youth, and farmers while aggressively driving the bilateral mandate to double two-way trade by 2030. Luxon echoed the economic potential, highlighting immediate tariff relief for Kiwi exporters: "New Zealand and India bookend the Indo-Pacific, but distance is no barrier to us working together to grow our economies. That's what we're doing through our free trade agreement, which will eliminate tariffs on 57% of everything we sell to India on day one."
Jaiswal earlier announced that PM Modi attended a special event hosted by Luxon, bringing together leaders from multiple sectors. In a post on X, he said, "India-New Zealand: A Winning Partnership. ... The two leaders welcomed the elevation of India-New Zealand ties to a Strategic Partnership. PM highlighted the opportunities created by the recently concluded FTA including for the businesses, the youth and farmers and help achieve the target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030."
CEO roundtable and roadmap to 2030
PM Modi also met with leading CEOs from New Zealand and India alongside Luxon. Jaiswal noted, "The discussions underscored the India-New Zealand FTA as a landmark milestone and set an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. The leaders emphasised leveraging each other's strengths and complementarities while deepening cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, sustainable agriculture, and technology."
The Prime Ministers directed ministers and senior officials to maintain close engagement and ensure timely implementation of the initiatives set out in the Roadmap to 2030. They agreed that progress would be reviewed regularly by ministers and senior officials.
Historic visit marks new chapter
PM Modi thanked Luxon and the people of New Zealand for their warm hospitality. The two leaders agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and realise the full potential of the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership. At Luxon's invitation, PM Modi is on an official visit to Auckland on 10 and 11 July 2026. The visit is the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years, marking a historic milestone and charting a new course in the enduring friendship between the two nations.
